Who’s running for a seat in the WA Legislature? Here are the local candidates

Friday marked the end of filing week for candidates running for elected office this year, including those eyeing slots in the Washington state Legislature.

24 Senate seats and all 98 House seats are up for election.

“Running for office at the local, state, or federal level is an opportunity to make a direct difference in your communities,” Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said in a recent news release.

This year’s primary will be held on Aug. 4, and the General Election is set for Nov. 3.

Here’s who’s running in local legislative elections across Thurston, Pierce, Whatcom, Benton and Franklin counties.

Legislative District 2 (parts of Pierce and Thurston counties)

Republican Reps. Andrew Barkis (Position 1) and Matt Marshall (Position 2) are running for reelection.

Other candidates include:

• William Dehnel, who’s running as a labor Democrat for Position 1
• Angela Taylor, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 2
• Martin L. Miller, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 2

Legislative District 8 (parts of Benton and Franklin counties)

Sen. Nikki Torres, a Pasco Republican, currently serves in the 15th Legislative District but announced earlier this year that she’s running for the 8th LD due to court-ordered redistricting.

Republican Reps. Stephanie Barnard (Position 1) and April Connors (Position 2) are also running for reelection, both unopposed.

Other candidates include:

• Gabe Galbraith, who’s running as a Republican for Senate
• Douglas McKinley, who’s running as a Democrat for Senate

Legislative District 14 (parts of Benton, Franklin, Klickitat and Yakima counties)

Republican Reps. Gloria Mendoza (Position 1) and Deb Manjarrez (Position 2) are running for reelection.

Other candidates include:

• Chelsea Dimas, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 1
• William Chichenoff, who has stated no party preference and is running for Position 1
• Tony G. Sandoval, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 2
• Ezequiel Morfin, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 2

Legislative District 15 (parts of Benton and Yakima counties)

Republican Rep. Jeremie Dufault (Position 2) is running unopposed for the Senate seat left open by Torres, while Republican Rep. Chris Corry (Position 1) is seeking reelection.

Other candidates include:

• Jack McEntire, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 1
• Reedy Berg, who’s running as a Republican for Position 2
• Chase Foster, who’s running as a Republican for Position 2
• Liz Hallock, whose party preference is listed as “No Kings” and who’s running for Position 2

Legislative District 16 (parts of Benton, Franklin and Grant counties; Walla Walla County)

Republican Reps. Mark Klicker (Position 1) and Skyler Rude (Position 2) are running for reelection.

Other candidates include:

• Kyle Palmer, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 1
• Derek Sarley, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 2

Legislative District 19 (parts of Thurston, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis and Pacific counties; Wahkiakum County)

Republican Reps. Jim Walsh (Position 1) and Joel McEntire (Position 2) are running for reelection.

Other candidates include:

• Kevin Moynihan, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 1
• Daniel William Bradley, who’s running as a Republican for Position 2
• Jimi O’Hagan, who’s running as Republican for Position 2
• Terry Carlson, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 2

Legislative District 20 (parts of Thurston, Clark, Cowlitz and Lewis counties)

Republican Reps. Peter Abbarno (Position 1) and Ed Orcutt (Position 2) are running for reelection.

Other candidates include:

• Andy Zahn, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 1
• Evan Jones, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 2

Legislative District 22 (part of Thurston County)

Democratic Reps. Beth Doglio (Position 1) and Lisa Parshley (Position 2) are running for reelection.

Other candidates include:

• Don Hewett, who’s running as a Republican for Position 1
• Jamie Keenan-deVargas, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 2

Legislative District 25 (part of Pierce County)

Republican Reps. Michael Keaton (Position 1) and Cyndy Jacobsen (Position 2) are running for reelection.

Other candidates include:

• David Berg, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 1
• Nick Oloo, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 1
• Jenn Marie Strickling, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 2
• Ren Fanony, who’s running as a Republican for Position 2

Legislative District 26 (parts of Pierce and Kitsap counties)

Democratic Sen. Deb Krishnadasan is running for reelection, as is Democratic Rep. Adison Richards (Position 1).

The Position 2 seat is open after Republican Rep. Michelle Valdez (formerly Caldier) announced earlier this year that she would not be seeking reelection.

Other candidates include:

• Gary Parker, who’s running as a Republican for the Senate
• David Olson, who’s running as a Republican for Position 1
• Natalie Bornfleth, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 1
• Randy Phillips, who has stated no party preference and is running for Position 2
• Tedd Wetherbee, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 2
• Renee Hernandez Greenfield, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 2
• Katy Cornell, who’s running as a Republican for Position 2

Legislative District 27 (part of Pierce County)

House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (Position 1) and Rep. Jake Fey (Position 2), both Democrats, are running for reelection; the latter is unopposed.

Challenger Carole Sue Braaten is running as a Republican for Position 1.

Legislative District 28 (part of Pierce County)

Democratic Reps. Mari Leavitt (Position 1) and Dan Bronoske (Position 2) are running for reelection; the latter is unopposed.

Challenger Kathy Richardson is running as a Republican for Position 1.

Legislative District 29 (part of Pierce County)

Democratic Rep. Sharlett Mena (Position 2) is running for the upper chamber after longtime Democratic Sen. Steve Conway announced his retirement earlier this year. Democratic Rep. Melanie Morgan (Position 1) is running for reelection.

Other candidates include:

• David Anderson, who’s running as a Democrat for Senate
• Krista Perez, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 1
• Darek Blum, who’s running as a Republican for Position 2
• Patrick Stickney, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 2
• Erin Chapman-Smith, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 2
• Natasha Laitila, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 2
• Sheri Hayes, who’s running as a Republican for Position 2
• Joe Bushnell, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 2

Legislative District 31 (parts of Pierce and King counties)

Republican Sen. Phil Fortunato is running for reelection, as are House Minority Leader Drew Stokesbary (Position 1) and Republican Rep. Joshua Penner (Position 2).

Other candidates include:

• Tamara Stramel, who’s running as a Democrat for Senate
• Stephen Szczurko-Walton, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 1
• John Bielka, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 2

Legislative District 35 (parts of Thurston and Kitsap counties; Mason County)

Republican Sen. Drew MacEwen is running for reelection, as are Republican Reps. Dan Griffey (Position 1) and Travis Couture (Position 2).

Other candidates include:

• Carolina Mejia, who’s running as a Democrat for Senate
• Shaena Garberich, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 1
• Jim Pierson, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 1
• Maria Littlesun, who’s running as a Democrat for Position 2

Legislative District 40 (parts of Whatcom and Skagit counties; San Juan County)

Democratic Reps. Debra Lekanoff (Position 1) and Alex Ramel (Position 2) are running for reelection.

Other candidates include:

• Cindy Carter, who’s running as a Republican for Position 1
• Salomon Rodrigue Mbouombouo, who’s running as an independent for Position 2
• Joseph Segault, who has stated no party preference and is running for Position 2
• Monte Jay Mahan, who’s running as an independent for Position 2

Legislative District 42 (part of Whatcom County)

Multiple political hopefuls are battling for the open seat left by Democratic Sen. Sharon Shewmake, who announced late last year that she isn’t running for reelection. Democratic Reps. Alicia Rule (Position 1) and Joe Timmons (Position 2) are vying to hold onto their seats.

Other candidates include:

• Michael Alvarez Shepard, who’s running as a Democrat for Senate
• Eamonn Collins, who’s running as a Democrat for Senate
• Ryan Bowman, who has stated no party preference and is running for Senate
• Erika Creydt, who’s running as a Republican for Senate
• Misty Flowers, who’s running as a Republican for Position 1
• Justin Pike, who’s running as a Republican for House Position 2

For a complete list of who filed for a spot in the state Legislature, visit voter.votewa.gov/CandidateList.aspx?e=898.

Simone Carter

The Olympian

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